A week in our shoes: CONGRESS OF WOMEN IN POLESKA EDITION

Another exciting week here at Hollaback! We’re gearing up for our big event with Cornell tomorrow, where we will release somepowerful research on street harassment, and then celebrate our success with a benefit dra g show (what else?). On Saturday, September 22nd, join us at Stonewall for RIOT! A drag show and benefit. Also this week, I was named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s “Brooklyn 20.” To congratulate me they dressed me up as a hipster super villain. Seriously. Check the picture (right).

Check out what our site leaders around the world have been up to this week:

Hollaback NYC Calls on State Leaders to Pass New Law Protecting Straphangers from Sexual Assault. In the current lawsubway “grinding” (also known as masturbating against someone) isn’t considered “forcible,” which means that it’s not categorized as sexual assault. We’re working with Public Advocate DeBlasio to close the loophole — check out our letter here.

Hollaback Czech holds its first workshop! It took place this week at the QueerFEM*Days conference and was a huge success.

Hollaback joins V-DAY’s “One Billion Rising” campaign! Want to join, too? Make a “Why I am Rising” video and they will post it!

Hollaback was at the Congress of Women in Poland! A video of us was shown at a panel called, “No more violence against women,” (Saturday, 15/09/2012, 12 – 1.30 pm), during which Greta, one of our site leader in Poland, also briefly spoke about Hollaback Polska, its goals and achievements so far. Among others, she presented some of the data from their recently conducted study on street harassment in Poland. Joanna, our other site leader in Poland, also spoke about Hollaback Polska and the notion of street harassment, why it is so harmful, etc., during another event at the Congress. Hollaback Poleska also had a stand where we conducted various activities, discussed street harassment, presented the results of our study, gave out leaflets and badges, and made contacts. Go Hollaback Poleska!

Hollaback Des Moines is running a HOLLAween campaign, and they need your help! Last year, they spoke at Iowa Pride Network Leadership Summit, partnered with the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault to make street harassment part of SAAT programming, worked with Drake University student activists and tabled at their “Vagina Carnival,” prior to three performances of Eve Ensler’s play, partnered with the Chrysalis Foundation to facilitate a screening of the documentary, “Miss Representation.” Check out their website for information on how you can help their efforts this year!

Hollaback UK site leaders met this week at feminist summer school in Bristol! They are collaborating on developing policy recommendations, campaigns, and garnering media attention. Stay tuned for more awesome updates coming from the UK!

Hollaback NYU in BUST online! Site leader Catie Brown talks about NYU’s plan for the future: “We’re going to be popping up all over campus this semester, getting the word out about our site and encouraging submissions. We’re also planning a fundraiser concert for the spring, and we’re always reaching out to and looking to collaborate with other campus organizations.” To read the full article, click here.